KUCHING: The Sarawak Harvest & Folklore Festival (SHFF) returns to Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) on May 23 and 24, featuring cultural performances, heritage showcases and youth-driven creative programmes.
Organised with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Tourism Malaysia, and the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), the festival is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a regional cultural tourism hub.
SHFF will bring together cultural practitioners, artisans, performers and youth groups in a large-scale celebration of Sarawak’s ethnic diversity under the theme ‘Celebrating Heritage, Inspiring Future’.
Organisers said the festival is designed not only as a tourism product but also as a platform for community empowerment, inclusivity and intergenerational cultural preservation, with strong participation expected from rural and urban communities.
Admission remains at a flat rate of RM20 for adults and RM10 for children during the day, while night show tickets are priced at RM50 for adults and RM30 for children. Tickets are available at www.sarawakharvest.com.my.
To manage visitor flow, shuttle bus services will operate from the Sports Village parking area from 9:00 am at RM5 per adult and RM3 per child per trip, while a dedicated transfer service from Damai Golf & Country Club is also available at RM5 per person for a round trip.
This year’s programme features live traditional dance and music performances, ethnic food showcases, craft demonstrations, and interactive traditional games aimed at audience participation.
A key highlight is the musical drama ‘Belawan Burieng – The Hercules of the Keliman River’, which retells a legendary Kayan warrior’s story of strength, conflict and reconciliation, featuring local performers, including Azam Pit and Lorna Walter, alongside dancers from SCV.
The Culturalvaganza Show will also stage performances from multiple ethnic groups, including the ASADIA (Sarawak Dayak Iban Association), the Ring Ladies of Borneo from Kampung Semban, and the Sarawak Tagal (Okolod) Association, each presenting distinct traditional music, dance and oral heritage.
Organisers said SHFF continues to serve as a platform for youth engagement in the creative industry, while reinforcing cultural identity and supporting Sarawak’s broader tourism development agenda.
